Ash receptacle



June 6, 1933. E. J. RANHOFER ASH RECEPTACLE Filed July 10, 1931 IN VEN TOR,

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Patented June 6, 1933 PATENT OFFICE EDWARD J. nANHorER, 01 NEW YORK, N. Y.

ASE RECEPTACLE Application med m 10, 1931. Serial No. 549,810.

This invention relates to an ash receptacle for smokers use adapted to be placed on card tables, dining tables, etc., convenient for use by cigar or cigarette smokers.

' The object of the invention is to provide a receptacle which is cheaply manufactured, simple in construction and which may be readily closed by hand to seal the ashes therein and discarded.

A further object is to provide a device in which a number of such ash receptacles are held in a nested arrangement so that as one is filled and removed another becomes available, avoiding the necessity of removing the tray of the usual form from the table, emptying the same and replacing, with the usual result of ashes becoming spilled, in addition to the inconvenience involved.

In carrying out the invention, a number of ash receptacles, formed of a single piece of non-combustible material, such as tin or lead foil, asbestos, etc., of any desired shape and which is self sustaining when formed but may be readily collapsed to seal the ashes therein. These receptacles are preferably nested in a holder of suitable form to retain the same in position and permit the removal, "successively, of the receptacles as filled.

Other objects and features will be apparcut from the description of the device shown in the accompanying drawing illustrating one of the many possible embodiments of the invention.

In the drawing, like parts in the several viewshave been given the same reference numeral.

Fig. 1 is a plan View, showing several ash receptacles nested together and held in a holder; Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in 0 section, of the device shown in Fig; 1; Fig.

3 is a partial section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is another section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the receptacles.

An ash receptacle 1 is formed of a single piece of non-combustible material, such as tin or lead foil, asbestos, etc., and may be of any desired shape.' In the form as shown,

these receptacles are in the form of a cup 0 and a number of the same are nested together and held in a holder 2, which may be made of glass, metal, stone, or other materlal of like kind. The holder 2 may be made 1n any desired ornamental shape to meet the requirements of use to which the same are adapted. V

The upper part of the holder 2 is shaped to conform to the shape of the upper part of the ash receptacles 1 and holds the nested receptacles with their upper edges flush with the upper or top surface of the holder. The tapered form of the upper part of the receptacles and holder provides suificient grip upon the receptacles to hold the same in pos1t1on against accidental displacement but permits the removal of the receptacles, successively, as they become filled with ashes, as will be explained hereinafter.

The holder 2 may also be provided with grooves, indicated at 3, in which the burning cigar or cigarette may rest with its burning end over the receptacle 1. A slot 4 may also be provided in the holder 2 in which a pack of matches may be placed, if desired.

As it is a common custom with smokers to remove the ash from the end of the cigarette or to extinguish the same-by pressing the end against some sufficiently hard surface, one or more depressions, indicated at 5, may be provided in the upper portion of the SU holder 2, which depressions preferably curve downwardly and inwardly toward the central opening in which the receptacles l are placed and a number of lips, such as indicated at 9, are formed at the top of the receptacle by pressing the material into the said depressions. This prevents the ash from the cigarette from falling on the table and causes the same to be directed into the receptacle, as will be clearly understood by reference to the drawing.

In order to provide a convenient means for releasing the receptacles 1 successively from their nested position, tabs, one of which is indicated at 6, are formed as a part of and projecting from the upper edge of the receptacles above the upper surface of the holder 2 when said receptacles are positioned therein. The holder 2 is provided with a niche, indicated at 7, in which the tabs 6 are positioned and a projection 8, extending above the top surface of the holder 2, protects these projections or tabs 6 from being bent or broken and, also provides a convenient means for removal of the receptacles, the tab 6 and projection 8 being grasped between the finger and thumb and the receptacle liftod from its nested position, leaving the next receptacle ready for-.use, as will be understood by reference to the drawing. In some cases, it may be desirable to provide two or moreof these tabs 6 for each receptacle 1 and a second tab and corresponding projection are indicated in dot and dash line on the opposite side of the receptacle and holder in Fig. 1.

The distinguishing feature of the receptacle is that it is self-sustaining when formed in the desired shape, it is of a single piece of material with no separate members and is readily collapsed by handcrumpled togethereither entirely or at the upper portion, as shown in Fig. 5 in dot and dash lines, sealing the ashes therein. The'selfsustaining construction and flat bottom enables the receptacle to maintain itself in an upright position, when removed from the holder, preventing spilling of the ashes in case the top or upper portion is not tightly closed. It may be laid aside and thrown away at the convenience of the user or may be removed at once, as when used upon a dining table, by the waiter without the necessity of resorting to the usual emptying process, which is liable to spill the ashes, as will be appreciated, together with other obvious advantages.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An article of the class described comprising a receptacle shaped and adapted to be nested with a number of other like receptacles,

each of said receptacles being formed from non-combustible material which is self-sustaining in its formed shape and having a flexible top portion adapted to be collapsed by hand to enclose the contents therein and also provided with one or more tabs extending above the upper edge thereof for removing each of said receptacles successively from its nested position.

2. An article of the class described comprising a receptacle shaped and adapted to be positioned in a holder, said receptacle being formed from non-combustible material and having a flexible portion adapted to be collapsed by hand to enclose the contents therein and also with a tab extending above the upper edge thereof for removing the same from said holder, and a holder having a portion adapted to receive said receptacle and provided with a depression at the edge of said portion into which the said flexible portion of said receptacle is adapted to be forced and form a lining therein.

3. An article of the class described comprising a receptacle shaped and adapted to be nested with a number of other like receptacles, each of said receptacles being formed of non-combustible material which is selfsustaining in its formed shape and adapted to be placed in a holder in nested position, and a holder having a portion adapted to receive said receptacles and with a projection extending above the upper surface thereof adjacent the top of said receptacles positioned therein and also with a depression at the edge of said portion, said receptacles having a flexible portion adapted to be collapsed when removed fromsaid holder to enclose the contents thereof therein and also with tabs extending adjacent said projection on said holder.

Signed at New York city, in the county of Bronx and State of New York this 2d day of July A,D. 1931.

EDWARD J. RANHOFER. 

